But potentially the most interesting development took place late last year when the central authorities gave Newbridge Capital the go-ahead to take a controlling stake in ShenzhenDevelopment Bank.
Shenzhen Scope Scientific Development has undercut its larger rivals with its Android 3.2-based Scopad SP0712, which has a range of features and the requisite seven-inch screen.
Last month, the Shenzhen-based company announced plans to open a smartphone-software development center in Helsinki and double the size of its research operations in Europe.